Zero Emission Bus Solutions and Practical Insights & Study Tour

What are the policy drivers for implementing e-bus solutions? Climate change, global warming and air pollution are among the critical drivers. Financial considerations and political ambitions are also important factors influencing decision-making.

This session includes:

• the policy context and city strategies for the introduction of electric buses
• the effects of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change
• financial aspects that can reduce the cost of operations
• local authority support, with case studies from around the world
• policy perspectives focusing on Asia-Pacific and Europe

What is an electric bus, and how can electric buses contribute to making public transport networks more competitive and cities more sustainable? What are the drivers and barriers when choosing a technology? How can this transition affect institutional organisation and governance in a city?

This session includes:

• the policy context and city strategies for the introduction of electric buses
• legislative and policy aspects, including how to incentivise e-bus deployment, with a focus on the Shenzhen Clean Vehicles Directive and other international examples
• the current state of the global electric bus market and products on offer
• the main challenges for deployment: upfront costs, operational requirements, procurement, interoperability and cooperation with the energy sector
• planning charging infrastructure, a critical aspect of e-bus deployment
• the system approach and the main steps of the implementation and deployment process

This session examines the infrastructure and technologies used to operate electric buses, including charging infrastructure, the impact on IT systems, driver assistance and standardisation of interfaces. Each charging technology has its own advantages and should be selected according to the specific conditions of each project.

This session includes:

• an overview of vehicles (battery electric, plug-in hybrid, trolleybus, fuel cell) and infrastructure (overnight charging, opportunity charging, pantograph types and in-motion charging)
• the pros and cons of different charging types and technologies
• the state of the market from an industry perspective
• the impact of IT systems on e-bus operations
• an updated overview of electric bus products, latest models and trends
• global trends and figures on e-bus deployment
• driveline, batteries, auxiliary systems and HVAC, maintenance implications and infrastructure cost

This session examines battery technologies and different battery types for different use cases. Basic battery chemistry and benchmarking of various battery types will be discussed. Key battery terminology will be clarified to help participants better understand battery behaviour and management, including how to maximise performance and lifetime and explore opportunities for second-life applications.

This session includes:

• cell technologies and battery types
• battery behaviour and operating conditions
• battery management systems
• battery lifetime and degradation
• relevant standards
• battery disposal, recycling and second-life opportunities

This session focuses on performance monitoring and contract management approaches for zero emission bus operations.

This session includes:

• performance monitoring using KPIs
• how to define and build relevant KPIs
• success factors for PTOs
• key performance indicators and performance indicators
• linking monitoring results to operational improvement
• service quality, asset availability and charging performance monitoring

Deploying e-buses is not an easy task and requires a systematic approach that considers many parameters. One of the most important is Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA), used to calculate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for different options. LCCA takes into account vehicle acquisition costs, operational costs, maintenance costs and other costs such as financing, insurance, licensing and administration across the full project lifecycle.

In this workshop, participants will calculate TCO for different options using international data adapted to local contexts.

This session includes:

• Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA)
• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
• cost drivers across the bus lifecycle
• comparison of technology and charging scenarios
• interpretation of results for decision-making

Most bus operations around the world are still based on internal combustion engine fleets, and transitioning to electric buses can be challenging. Legacy systems must be phased out while new capital must be invested in new technology. Maintaining regular passenger services during the transition is a demanding task.

E-bus operations are closely linked to battery capacity. Scheduling and operating conditions must be redefined to accommodate charging time. From line management and maintenance to staff training, driving and safety, the operation of a fully electric bus line differs substantially from that of a traditional one.

This session includes:

• key parameters for battery sizing
• fleet replacement ratios from ICE to BEB
• e-bus range definition and battery sizing estimation
• global experience in transitioning from ICE to e-buses
• route selection criteria
• charger scheduling logic and operational constraints

This session explores how ITS and operational data can support e-bus performance, reliability and daily decision-making.

This session includes:

• operational data flows and system interfaces
• monitoring vehicle status, charging status and service reliability
• turning operational data into planning and control actions
• using dashboards and alerts for proactive management

This session focuses on the technical, operational and financial aspects of planning charging infrastructure for e-bus fleets.

This session includes:

• civil infrastructure required for charging system installation
• standards and regulations related to charging and grid infrastructure
• charging power demand estimation and load distribution for daily fleet charging schedules
• low-voltage infrastructure requirements for different charging configurations, including depot charging, opportunity charging and battery swapping
• high-voltage infrastructure requirements, such as dedicated transformers, for powering charging stations
• estimation of land area requirements for charging and electrical infrastructure
• technical and financial aspects related to grid infrastructure
• typical costs of setting up an e-bus charging station and associated grid infrastructure

E-bus maintenance is very different from conventional bus maintenance. One of the key challenges is building new capabilities within the existing maintenance workforce. A new systematic approach is needed to ensure the right maintenance is carried out at the right time by appropriately skilled staff.

This session includes:

• maintenance management
• types of maintenance: corrective, planned, preventive and proactive
• training requirements for existing and newly recruited maintenance staff
• transition training frameworks for technicians and drivers
• workforce planning and change management

This session addresses the planning of depot infrastructure and equipment needed to operate and maintain e-bus fleets effectively.

This session includes:

• depot layout and space requirements
• charging layout within the depot
• workshop adaptation for electric buses
• required tools and equipment
• circulation, parking and safety zoning
• interface between depot planning and operational efficiency

This session addresses occupational health and safety principles in the maintenance and operation of electric buses.

This session includes:

• electrical safety and high-voltage awareness
• workshop safety procedures
• PPE and safety protocols
• incident prevention and response
• safe handling of batteries and electrical systems

This session introduces automated mobility in the context of public transport and focuses on the relevance of automated buses and depot automation for operators.

This session includes:

• main drivers of automated mobility
• glossary and key definitions, including levels of automation
• vehicle types, services and use cases
• overview of worldwide automated mobility activities, including pilots and commercial deployments
• legislation and regulation overview

missing building blocks on the path to fully autonomous mobility

This session explores the technical and operational foundations of automated buses and how they can be integrated into public transport systems.

This session includes:

• Environment perception and detection systems, including sensors and basic cost considerations
• fusion algorithms
• localisation
• decision-making, driving logic and trajectory planning
• communication layers, protocols and services
• cybersecurity
• standardisation
• interoperability mechanisms
• communication between ITCS and automated buses
• transmission of schedules, routes and operational measures
• human-machine interfaces between the vehicle, passengers, the public transport operator and the vehicle operator

• Identifying operational constraints
• Reviewing performance and energy consumption data
• Charging window analysis
• Practical problem-solving exercises

This full-day technical visit will give participants direct exposure to SZBG’s large-scale zero emission bus operations and infrastructure.

Indicative visit components:

• overview of Shenzhen Bus Group’s electrification journey
• visit to e-bus depot and maintenance workshop
• charging infrastructure and energy management practices
• fleet dispatch and operational control
• maintenance organisation and workforce practices
• data, monitoring and performance management in practice
• exchange with SZBG operational and technical experts

Indicative visit components:

• depot layout and operational flows
• safety procedures and maintenance routines
• lessons learned from large-scale deployment
• Q&A with SZBG experts

This full-day technical visit will focus on the host company’s automated mobility activities and automation solutions relevant to bus operations and depots.

Indicative visit components:

• presentation of the host company’s AV strategy and deployment model
• visit to automated bus operating areas
• observation of automated depot functions and smart parking / vehicle movement solutions
• discussion of operational supervision and safety model
• operational and regulatory lessons learned
• interaction between automation, digital systems and public transport operations

Indicative visit components:

• additional demonstration of AV applications
• discussion on scale-up potential and operational constraints
• exchange with the host company’s experts and operators

• certificate ceremony